Bad In Boots: Colt's Choice by Patrice Michelle Read Free Book Online

danced with another. She finally just closed her eyes to stop the dual torment.
    When the dance ended, Josh walked her out to her car while Colt followed them out. Josh gave Colt a pointed, “shove off” look, but Colt ignored him and walked up, pulling Elise’s car keys from her hand as she retrieved them from her purse.
    “Thanks for escorting Elise out, Josh.” He turned to unlock her car door for her and held it open, waiting.
    Josh’s eyes narrowed on Colt, his expression angry, before he turned to Elise. “I would like to see you again,” he paused, glancing over to Colt, “without the additional company next time.”
    With the strong emotions for Colt churning inside her, Elise felt she should be honest with Josh. “Josh, I don’t—”
    As if he knew she planned to turn him down, Josh quickly leaned over and kissed her, cutting off her words. “Think about it. I’ll call you soon.” He turned, flashed Colt a triumphant smile and headed toward his truck.
    Colt’s jaw ticked as he handed her the keys. “If you play games, you’ll get burned,” was all he said before he turned on his heel and headed for his truck.

Chapter Four
     
    Elise thrilled at the wind in her hair as she raced her horse across the open plains. She missed this. She’d grown up riding horses. Had even won a few ribbons. Her parents let her compete for the prestige. She did it because she loved being around horses. She loved grooming them, caring for them and most of all, the exhilarating freedom she felt when riding full throttle.
    After the interesting evening the night before with Colt and Josh, she’d spent the whole next day working on the website, nonstop. When her workday ended and others had gone home for dinner, she’d stayed a little longer and then decided to go for a ride on Bess. She knew the ride would help ease her sore shoulders.
    As she neared the main stable, she slowed Bess to a trot so the horse could cool down before she brought her into the stables. Letting her gaze take in the whole ranch from this angle, she smiled at the welcoming sight. Everything about the ranch made her feel at home. Bess had slowed to a walk when Elise spotted Colt. He stood outside the stables, his hat pulled low on his head, his thick arms crossed over his chest, scowling at her. What now?
    Elise pulled up beside him and met his gaze. “What is it, Colt?”
    When he turned to Sam and asked him to take the horse, she said, “I planned to groom Bess myself.”
    “Not today. We need to talk.”
    Elise slid off the horse and handed Sam the reins with an apologetic smile.
    Colt took her elbow and propelled her around the stables until they were alone by the main barn.
    He turned to face her, his mouth set in a firm line. “Don’t go off like that again by yourself. Do you understand?”
    Elise leaned back against the barn’s wall, closed her eyes, and counted to ten. She didn’t want to get into a fight. Opening her eyes, she said, “I’m an accomplished horsewoman, Colt. There’s really no need to worry.”
    “What if you’d taken a fall? Who would’ve known? And another thing. You’re a beautiful woman, Elise, and while I believe the cowboys working on the ranch are good men, I wouldn’t want to test that theory too much.”
    His words made her heart trip in her chest. Elise smiled at him. “You think I’m beautiful?”
    Colt clenched his jaw and curled his hands into fists by his sides. His eyes bored into hers. “Yes, I find you beautiful,” he admitted as if she had to drag it out of him.
    “That’s nice to hear, because I like what I see in you, too.” She eyed him up and down with a slow smile. “So, what are we going to do about this mutual liking we’ve got going on?” she asked, letting her voice drop to a husky and suggestive tone. When conflicting emotions lit his deep blue eyes, her stomach tensed and she wondered if maybe she’d misread him.
    “Then again, maybe it’s not such a good…”
    She